Key facts
- Military officials from Uganda and Burundi visited Israel to discuss deploying troops to Gaza.
- Uganda's parliament has approved troop contribution for an international security force.
- Burundi has expressed interest in joining the proposed force.
- The international force is envisioned by U.S. President Donald Trump's Board of Peace.
- Uganda has committed approximately 1,200 personnel, and Morocco up to 500.
- The proposed force aims to monitor a ceasefire, train Palestinian police, and secure aid delivery.
Military officials from Uganda and Burundi visited Israel last week to discuss deploying troops to Gaza as part of an international security force. A Board of Peace official stated that Ugandan officials joined a Burundian military delegation and that Uganda is finalizing its participation details after its parliament approved the troop contribution this month. While nothing is finalized with Burundi, a Burundian military official indicated interest in joining the mission.
The proposed international force, envisioned by U.S. President Donald Trump's Board of Peace, aims to monitor a ceasefire, train Palestinian police, and secure aid delivery. Progress on the force has been slow, with troops committed falling far short of the 20,000-strong goal. Uganda has committed around 1,200 personnel, and Morocco up to 500, with Kosovo, Kazakhstan, and Albania committing a total of about 80.
The ceasefire that took effect in Gaza last October has stalled due to disagreements over Israel's withdrawal and Hamas' disarmament. Hamas has agreed to a new U.S. deal, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected it, stating Israel will not withdraw from the territory it controls until Hamas is completely disarmed. Despite meetings with a U.S. delegation, including negotiator Jared Kushner, no concrete commitment from Israel has been offered.
Uganda and Burundi have gained peacekeeping experience through deployments in Somalia as part of an African Union force. Experts suggest that with the mission in Somalia winding down, both countries may seek financial and material support for their militaries, making a deployment to Gaza with U.S. support an attractive option. A Ugandan military officer confirmed that troops were being selected for the Gaza deployment.